Game of Skill with Wagering Components

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture includes a computer readable medium and computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium. The instructions are readable by a processor. The instructions, when read and executed, cause the processor to present a game of skill including at least one goal associated with a portion of the game, accept a wager for a randomized prize, conduct a randomized selection process to determine the randomized prize, provide interactive control of the game of skill to a user in response to the wager, and determine whether the goals has been successfully accomplished by the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gaming systems, machines, andmethods used to provide wagering games, and, more particularly, to agame of skill with wagering components.

BACKGROUND

Gaming systems, machines, and methods used to provide wagering games maybe electronically implemented by mechanisms akin to traditional slotmachines. These may be referred to as “slot machines” because theycommonly show the result of a wager by displaying reels of symbols orempty spaces, and indicating a payout based on particular alignments orcombinations of the symbols or empty spaces. In an electronic slotmachine, the results may be determined by generating a random number toselect a payout from a set or range of possible payouts.

Gaming systems, machines, and methods used to provide wagering games maybe electronically implemented by instant lottery systems. These may bereferred to as “video lottery” systems because they commonly show theresult of a play in the lottery game on a video display device at theplayer terminal. In an electronic lottery gaming system, the results maybe identified by a set of electronic lottery records. The set ofelectronic lottery records may be analogous to a set of printed paperlottery game tickets. Individual lottery game play records may beassigned from the set of electronic lottery game play records in somerandom order in response to requests for plays in the lottery game. Theresult defined by an assigned electronic lottery game play record may bedisplayed at an electronic lottery player station rather than on aprinted lottery ticket. As in traditional paper lotteries, the rules bywhich the set of lottery records is created for an electronic lotterygame determines the overall prize distribution for the game. Forexample, an electronic lottery game set may include one million records,with one record associated with the top prize, ten records associatedwith a next highest prize, and so forth throughout all of the potentialresults available in the lottery game set.

Gaming systems, machines, and methods used to provide wagering games maybe electronically implemented by predetermined cards or displays andinclude a number of designations randomly arranged in a grid, matrix, orother layout of locations. The may be referred to as “bingo” systems.The game board or display may be represented by a data structure whichdefines a representation having various card or display locations anddesignations associated with the locations. For example, in atraditional bingo game sequence, a number of the predetermined bingocards are first sold for a particular bingo game. After the sale ofbingo cards is closed for a given game, designations are randomlyselected from a pool of available designations and matched to thedesignations on each bingo card that is in play in the bingo game. Thismatching of bingo designations randomly selected for a game and bingodesignations associated with a bingo card in play in the game may bereferred to as daubing the card.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an article of manufacture includes a computerreadable medium and computer-executable instructions carried on thecomputer readable medium. The instructions are readable by a processor.The instructions, when read and executed, cause the processor to presenta game of skill including at least one goal associated with a portion ofthe game, accept a wager for a randomized prize, conduct a randomizedselection process to determine the randomized prize, provide interactivecontrol of the game of skill to a user in response to the wager, anddetermine whether the goals has been successfully accomplished by theuser.

In another embodiment, an electronic device includes a computer-readablemedium, a processor coupled to the computer-readable medium, a display,one or more input/output controls, and instructions readable by theprocessor and stored on the computer-readable medium. The instructions,when read and executed, cause the processor to present a game of skillon the display, the game including a goal associated with a portion ofthe game, accept a wager through the input/output controls, the wagerfor a randomized prize, conduct a randomized selection process todetermine the randomized prize, in response to the wager provideinteractive control of the game to a user through the display andinput/output controls, and determine whether the goals have beensuccessfully accomplished.

In yet another embodiment, a method for providing skill game play withwagering components includes presenting a game of skill on a display,accepting a wager for a randomized prize, conducting a randomizedselection process to determine the randomized prize, in response to thewager providing interactive control of the game to a user through thedisplay and input/output controls, and determining whether the a goalhave been successfully accomplished. The game includes the goal and itis associated with a portion of the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an example embodiment of a system for a game of skill withwagering components;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of an example system for a gameof skill with wagering components, illustrating generation of randomizedprize;

FIGS. 3A-3E are an example screens of a display of an electronic gamingmachine during operation of a system for a game of skill with wageringcomponents;

FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of a method of interfacing with a userto provide a game of skill with wagering components; and

FIG. 5 is an example embodiment of a method of determining a prize to auser to playing a game of skill with wagering components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an example embodiment of a system 100 for a game of skill withwagering components. System 100 may include an electronic gaming machine(“EGM”) 102 communicatively coupled to a gaming server 104 and/or anaffinity server 106. EGM 102 may be configured for providing a skillgame 110 to a user, who may play the skill game 110 in combination withplacing a wager through a wager application 112. In one embodiment,system 100 may be configured to provide a randomized prize associatedwith the wager made through wager application 112 based upon whether ornot a portion of skill game 110 is successfully completed. In anotherembodiment, system 100 may be configured to provide a randomized prizeassociated with the wager without regard to whether a portion of skillgame 110 is successfully completed.

EGM 102 may be implemented in any suitable manner according to theteachings of this disclosure. EGM 102 may be implemented, for example,in an electronic device such as a portable device, tablet device, mobiledevice, traditional wagering game cabinet, or arcade gaming cabinet. EGM102 may include a processor 118 coupled to a memory 120. Processor 118may be configured to execute different logic or instructions stored inmemory 120. Processor 118 may be coupled to one or more displays 116 andinput/output (“I/O”) 114. EGM 102 may include any suitable display 116and I/O 114. For example, display 116 may include a display of aportable device, tablet device, mobile device, or game cabinet. I/O 114may include one or more buttons, switches, a touch screen panel,joysticks, levers, trackballs, or any other suitable I/O mechanisms.Although system 100 is illustrated having a single EGM 102, system 100may include more EGMs networked together through gaming server 104. SuchEGMs may make up a bank of gaming devices in, for example, a casino orpart of a casino. In one embodiment, one or more EGMs of system 100 mayinclude portable or similar devices that may be checked out from a kioskin a casino. In another embodiment, one or more EGMs of system 100 mayinclude player-owned mobile devices which may install gamingapplications and be usable within the premises of a casino. In yetanother embodiment, gaming application 108 may be executed on a remotememory of a machine other than EGM 102, such as gaming server 104, andEGM 102 may be configured to act as a thin client for displaying gamingapplication 108 while offloading some or all of the processing required,for example, for skill game 110 or wager application 112.

Although system 100 is illustrated having an EGM 102 communicativelycoupled to a gaming server 104, wherein the gaming server 104 containsseveral mechanisms for conducting game play such as network wagerapplication 124, accumulator 128, or skill game server application 126,in various embodiments one or more of the components of gaming server104 as described may be implemented by or on EGM 102. In one embodiment,all wagering computation, payouts, or determinations may be conducted onEGM 102. In another embodiment, all skill game computations, awards, ordeterminations may be conducted on EGM 102. In such embodiments, EGM 102may be configured to function as a stand-alone machine. In suchembodiments, EGM 102 may be configured to connect to a server such asgaming server 104 for activities such as reporting, but not in order toconduct individual skill games and/or wagers.

Processors 118, 130, 138 may comprise, for example a microprocessor,microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitryconfigured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/orprocess data. In some embodiments, processors 118, 130, 138 mayinterpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data storedin memories 120, 132, 140. Memories 120, 132, 140 may be configured inpart or whole as application memory, system memory, or both. Memories120, 132, 140 may include any system, device, or apparatus configured tohold and/or house one or more memory modules. Each memory module mayinclude any system, device or apparatus configured to retain programinstructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readablemedia).

EGM 102 may include a gaming application 108 including skill andwagering components. Such a gaming application 108 may include a skillgame 110 and a wager application 112. Skill game 110 and applications108, 112 may be implemented in any suitable mechanism, such as anapplication, script, module, shared library, function, or routine. Skillgame 110 and wager application 112 may be implemented in the same orseparate applications. For example, skill game 110 may include astand-alone skill game capable of being used outside a wageringapplication, and may be augmented by wager application 112 to be usedfor wagering purposes. In another example, skill game 110 may includebuilt-in wagering components. Some portions or functions of skill game110 may be implemented by wager application 112, or vice-versa.

Skill game 110 may be configured to present one or more games of skillto a user of EGM 102. Such a skill game 110 may include any one of ahost of games wherein successful play is primarily accorded to themental, reflex, physical, or other ability of the player. Suchsuccessful play may be contrasted with games in which successful play isprimarily accorded to random chance, such as many traditional casinogames such as bingo, slot machines, Blackjack, craps, roulette, etc.Such games may primarily depend on chance even when optimally played bya user. Skill game 110 may include, for example, sports-simulationgames, racing games, trivia games, action games, shooter games, physicsgames, word games, puzzle games, adventure or role-playing games,pinball, arcade games, strategy games, simulation games, board games, orrhythm games. Skill game 110 may include games known outside of awagering context. Skill game 110 may include one or more randomizedaspects of the game, such as the movement of an enemy within the game.However, a player of skill game 110 may be able to adapt to the randomaspects of the game, depending upon the skill of the player.

Skill game 110 may be divided into one or more levels, objectives, orother subdivisions. Skill game 110 may be episodic in nature. As such,skill game 110 may be configured to unlock such levels, objections, orother subdivisions of game play depending upon prior successfulcompletion of previous subdivisions. The game play of skill game 110 mayprogress towards the completion of a storyline or overall gameaccomplishment. The subdivisions of game play within skill game 110 maybe designed according to a desired combination of wagering and length ofskill game 110 play. The subdivision of game play of skill game 110 maydepend upon the specific skill game 110. For example, a subdivision ofgame play may include completing a single level within the game,defeating a certain opponent, reaching the end of a time period with orwithout a certain core, answering questions successfully, or solving apuzzle. In one embodiment, a skill game 110 may include games in which agiven subdivision of skill game 110 may be completed with perfect playby the player.

Skill game 110 may be configured to award points, progression levels,achievements, or other recognition for successful activities withinskill game 110. Such skill game 110 points may be awarded, tracked,accrued, or redeemed separately from wagers placed upon game play of EGM102.

EGM 102 may include features for traditional casino gaming actions, suchas adding money for wagering, picking a certain number of credits ormoney to wager, cashing out deposited credits or money, or calling anattendant. EGM 102 may include more than one skill game 110. Skill game110 may be preloaded into EGM 102 or may be downloaded or streamed froma server. EGM 102 may display a choice of skill games 110. Each skillgame 110 may have a demonstration mode by which a user may preview thegame play, goals, or possible prize levels of the game. Within a skillgame 110, a user may be able to select from one or more levels to play.

EGM 102 may include a login function to login to a user account. Such auser account may include tracking of wagering and/or game play withinskill game 110.

Wager application 112 may be configured to enable a user of EGM 102 toplace a wager. Wager application 112 may be configured to require awager before skill game 110 proceeds with game play. Skill game 110 maybe configured to allow a user to attempt or play a defined set or numberof subdivisions of skill game 110 for a given wager. Wager application112 may be configured to determine a randomized prize for a given wager.Wager application 112 may be configured to determine such a randomizedprize by accessing gaming server 104. Such a randomized prize may beimplemented by any suitable mechanism of casino wagering and randomizedprizes, for example, those used in slot machines, bingo games, Class IIor Class III devices. In one embodiment, wager application 112 may beconfigured to only pay the randomized prize to the user upon thesuccessful completion of a subdivision of game play of skill game 110.In such an embodiment, wager application 112 may determine whether theplayer has successfully accomplished a subdivision of skill game 110before awarding the randomized prize to the user. In another embodiment,wager application 112 may be configured to pay the randomized prize tothe user upon the successful or unsuccessful completion of a subdivisionof game play of skill game 110. After termination of a finite amount ofplay in skill game 110, wager application 112 may be configured torequire an additional wager before skill game 110 allows a user to makeadditional plays in skill game 110.

Wager application 112, alone or in combination with other applicationsfor evaluating wagers, may be configured to accept payment from a user,keep track of the available funds or credits with which to play, andprovide indications to the user of prizes or payouts received as aresult of wagering. Wager application 112 may be configured to cash outa balance of a user's available funds. The funds used to wager may berepresented in currency, credits, or any other suitable unit.

Gaming server 104 may be configured to communicate with gamingapplication 108 to facilitate skill game 110 play or wagering throughwager application 112. Gaming server 104 may include a processor 130coupled to a memory 132. Processor 130 may be configured to executelogic for components of gaming server 104 such as network wagerapplication 124, skill game server application 126, and accumulator 128.

Network wager application 124 may be communicatively coupled to variousEGMs such as EGM 102, and configured to monitor wagering occurring ateach such EGM 102. In one embodiment, network wager application 124 maybe configured to conduct randomized prize determinations on behalf ofwager application 112. For example, network wager application 124 may beconfigured to conduct a bingo game to determine potential prizes to agiven EGM 102. In another embodiment, such prize determinations may bemade in wager application 112 itself. Network wager application 124 maybe configured to determine whether or not to award prizes resulting fromwagers on the basis of, for example, success in skill game 110.Unawarded prizes, or portions thereof, may be added by network wagerapplication 124 to accumulator 128. Accumulator 128 may be organized byunawarded prizes based on source machine, source network, source game,or source game subdivision. Network wager application 124 may beconfigured to award prizes based on a randomized event, such as a bingogame or random number generator and payout table, in combination with arandomized amount of funds accumulated in accumulator 128. Thus, networkwager application 124 may be configured to provide a progressive gamingscheme.

Skill game server application 126 may be communicatively coupled tovarious EGMs such as EGM 102 and configured to monitor or facilitateskill game play occurring at each such EGM 102. For example, skill games110 requiring head-to-head competition between EGMs may be coordinatedby skill game server application 126. Skill game server application 126may be configured to determine winners, placings, and skill game pointsamong multiple players. Some games, such as a trivia game, may be playedamong many players in a given location, and thus skill game serverapplication 126 may award skill game points based on the total number ofcompetitors. Skill game server application 126 may be communicativelycoupled to accumulator 128 and may be configured to determine for agiven skill game 110 an available accumulator value to be displayed to auser of EGM 102. Skill game server application 126 may be configured todisplay a leaderboard or rankings of players at a given location, withina specified group, or from a larger geographic area. Skill game serverapplication 126 may identify players according to user names or handlespicked by the players when setting up a login account for the skill game110.

Accumulator 128 may include an application, record, database, or othermechanism for storing unawarded prizes. Prizes may be unawarded because,for example, a player failed to complete a specified goal on asubdivision of skill game 110, and thus was not awarded a prize based onan associated wager. Thus, accumulator 128 may include, a randomizedprize such as money or credits that were previously unawarded due to afailure to complete a given subdivision of skill game 110 play.Accumulator 128 may include wagers that failed to yield a prize due to arandomized process that determined that no prize would be awarded. Suchunsuccessful wagers may be included as part of a progressive gamingscheme. Network wager application 124 may be configured to add value toaccumulator 124 when a randomized prize is less than a wager placed by auser of EGM 102, or upon a failure of the user to complete a givensubdivision of skill game 110 play. Network wager application 124 may beconfigured to generate a randomized prize for a wager based upon thewager and upon a value of accumulator 128. Accumulator 128 may includeaccumulated values associated with skill games for an entire casino, anindividual skill game 110, individual subdivisions of play within theskill game 110, an individual EGM 102, or an entire network of EGMswithin a casino or larger geographic area. A skill game 110 may beconfigured to display the value of accumulator 128 for a given game orgame play subdivision as an incentive for players to attempt the game orgame play subdivision.

In various embodiments, some portions or functionality of gaming server104 may be implemented within an individual EGM 102, or vice-versa. Forexample, in embodiments, where an accumulator is based on individualEGMs, portions of network wager application 124 for determiningrandomized prizes, accumulator 128, and portions of skill game serverapplication 126 for accessing accumulator 128 may be implemented withinEGM 102.

Affinity server 106 may be communicatively coupled to gaming server 104and/or EGM 102. Affinity server 106 may include a processor 138 coupledto a memory 140. Processor 138 may be configured to execute logic forcomponents of affinity server 106 such as affinity server application136. Although a single affinity server 106 is shown, the functionalityof affinity server 106 may be implemented in or more servers maintainedby various entities. For example, a skill game entity may maintain askill game affinity server, and a casino entity may maintain a wageringaffinity server.

Affinity server 106 may be configured to store and retrieve informationabout skill game 110 play itself, wagering associated with skill game110 play, and the user of EGM 102. Affinity server application 136 maybe configured to communicate with gaming application 108, network wagerapplication 124, and skill game server application 126 to determine suchinformation. For example, EGM 102 may be configured to facilitate a userlogging in. In one embodiment, such a log-in may be associated with acasino hosting EGM 102 and may be facilitated by, for example, swiping amagnetic card provided by the casino to the player for affinity wageringpurposes. The amount, time, or results of wagering may be logged bywager application 112 and sent to affinity server application 136,whereupon the information is stored in a wagering database 144. Based onthe accumulated wagering of the player as stored in wagering database144, an entity may, for example, market to the player, offer the playerincentives, discounts, free plays, or complimentary goods or services.

In another embodiment, login information may be associated with a skillgame 110, network of skill games 110, or a source of skill games 110. Insuch an embodiment, use of skill game 110 may be tracked by skill game110 reporting usage to affinity server 106, wherein the information maybe stored in skill game database 142. Such login information may beassociated with a user account, wherein a user's success within one ormore skill games themselves may be tracked. For example, a user'sscores, accomplished levels, achievements, or other indications of gameplay within skill game 110 may be recorded and be accessible at a latertime when a player returns to play a skill game 110 again. Theprogression of a user within a given skill game 110, or across more thanone skill game, may be defined by defined structures or achievementlevels. A user may be awarded virtual goods based upon successful gameplay, scores, or accomplishments. Based upon information about the gameplay within skill game 110, an entity operating system 100 may market tothe player or otherwise offer the player incentives, discounts, freeplays, or complimentary goods or services. For example, accumulatedpoints or virtual goods from game play in skill game 110 may be redeemedfor real goods and services, or for other affinity points or virtualgoods. For a given casino, region, or wider area, users may be rankedand such rankings may be displayed by EGM 102 or associated machinery.Skill game 110 tracking of a given user may be made independent of thelocation at which the user plays; thus, a user may, for example, enteranother casino and play the same skill game 110 and continue to add tothe player's scores and achievements.

In yet another embodiment, information about a user's wagering on an EGMand associated skill game play may be linked by affinity server 106.Reward points, promotions, and other incentives or awards may beexchanged between wagering and skill game affinity schemes. For example,complimentary goods or services may be earned by a player by acombination of wagering history and by achieving a rank within skillgame 110 play at a given casino location.

Affinity server 106, gaming server 104, and EGM 102 may becommunicatively coupled by one or more networks such as network 122.Network 122 may include any suitable type or kind of networks forcommunicating between affinity server 106, gaming server 104, and EGM102, such as: the Internet, an intranet, wide-area-networks,local-area-networks, back-haul-networks, peer-to-peer-networks, or anycombination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of an example system for a gameof skill with wagering components, illustrating generation of randomizedprizes. Wager application 112 may be configured to accept a wager 202 toenable play of skill game 110 and to enable generation of randomizedprizes by network wager application 124. Skill game 110 may beconfigured to not commence game play until a wager 202 is received bywager application 112. Network wager application 124 may be configuredto not commence generation of a prize until a wager 202 is received bywager application 112. Wager application 112 may be configured to sendwagering information to affinity server 106.

Skill game 110 may be configured to execute a subdivision of game playand determine whether the player successfully completed the subdivisionof game play. Skill game 110 may be configured to communicate theresults to network wager application 124 and affinity server 106.

In one embodiment, a randomized prize is awarded to a player of skillgame 110 is made regardless of whether a subdivision of game play ofskill game 110 is accomplished. In such an embodiment, network wagerapplication 124 may calculate a randomized prize and award the prizeregardless of the results of skill game 110. In another embodiment,awarding a randomized prize to a player of skill game 110 is only madeif a subdivision of game play of skill game 110 is accomplished. In suchan embodiment, network wager application 124 may calculate a randomizedprize independently of whether the subdivision of skill game 110 iscompleted. If skill game 110 is not successfully completed, some or allof the calculated prize may not be paid to the player. Some or all ofthe unawarded prize, due to a failure in skill game 110, may bedeposited into accumulator 128.

Network wager application 124 may be configured to determine arandomized prize such as a number of credits of money in any suitableway. For example, network wager application 124 may include a randomnumber generator 204 to randomly select values from a pay table. In suchan example, EGM 102 may be configured to operate in a similar fashion totraditional slot machines in terms of picking a prize to awarded to aplayer. Network wager application 124 and other functions of gamingserver 104 may be configured to be executed within EGM 102. In anotherexample, network wager application 124 may include a random numbergenerator 204 as part of a lottery-style prize scheme. In yet anotherexample, network wager application 124 may assign bingo cards to variousEGMs, conduct a real or virtual ball drop, the various EGMs may daubtheir bingo cards, and network wager application 124 may determine awinner among the EGMs and assign a prize to the winner. The randomnumber created by random number generator 204 may be used to look up aprize in pay table 206. Pay table 206 may include one or more tables,records, or any other suitable structure for determining a randomizedprize. The pay table 206 selected may depend upon the wager 202 selectedby the user. For example, pay tables 206 with higher payouts may beselected if a larger wager 202 is selected by the end user.

Pay table 206 may include one or more entries associated withaccumulated, unawarded prizes for a specific machine, group of machines,skill game, skill game subdivision, location, or combination thereof.Players may be incentivized to play particular skill games 110 orparticular subdivisions of skill games 110 in order to win a largeraccumulated value. Pay table 206 may be configured to access accumulator128 to determine accumulated unawarded prizes available for any suchcombination of machine, game, or subdivision. Accumulator 128 mayinclude, for example, values of accumulated unawarded prizes for wagersassociated with multiple skill games 110, within a single skill game110, or with individual subdivisions of game play within skill game 110.Accumulator 128 may represent accumulated pots within a given locationsuch as a casino, within a larger casino chain or geographic area, or ona given machine. In one embodiment, to implement awarding prizes fromaccumulator 128, a single random number may be generated to look up aprize value within payout table 206, wherein the payout table 206includes possible values of prizes from within accumulator 128. Inanother embodiment, a random number may be generated for a first paytable for prizes based upon wager 202, and a second random number may begenerated for a second pay table for prizes based upon values withinaccumulator 128.

After accessing pay table 206, network wager application 124 maydetermine the prize that may be won by a player of skill game 110. Inone embodiment, the prize may be paid to the player of skill game 110regardless of the success of the player in a given subdivision of skillgame 110. In such an embodiment, skill game 110 may function as anattractive display for the player without impact upon the amount that iswon or lost through wagering. The amount won or lost due to wagering isin an added feature to the skill game 110, but is not dependent upon theoutcome of skill game 110. Each subdivision or finite set ofsubdivisions of game play 110 thus requires a wager, and the player isawarded a prize determined by network wager application 124.

In another embodiment, the randomized prize that may be won by a playerof skill game 110 may require successful completion of a subdivision ofskill game 110. Network wager application 124 may include a payoutmodule 208 configured to determine whether or not the subdivision ofskill game 110 has been successfully completed. If so, then therandomized prize is awarded to the player. Such an award of the prizemay be made through wager application 112, which may be configured tokeep track of funds, credits and wagers. If the subdivision of skillgame 110 has not been successfully completed, then payout module 208 maybe configured to deposit some or all of the unawarded prize intoaccumulator 128.

The amount of a wager and/or unawarded randomized prize placed intoaccumulator 128 may be determined by any suitable mechanism. In oneembodiment, the amount placed into accumulator 128 may be determined byreferencing minimum threshold payout levels. Such payout levels may beset by statute, casino policy, or other suitable mechanism. Suchthreshold payout levels dictate that, over time, a certain amount of thewagers of system 100 must be paid back to players. Deposit of a certainpercentage of the unawarded prizes—such as unwon credits—fromunsuccessful skill game 110 players into the accumulator may raise thepayout level of system 100 by paying some or all of such unawardedprizes to subsequent successful skill game 110 players.

Accumulated values in accumulator 128 may be accumulated and paid out ona basis of the machines used in wagering. In one embodiment, accumulatedvalues in accumulator 128 may be based upon an individual EGM 102. Forexample, within a given level within a skill game 110, the accumulatedpreviously unawarded prizes from previous players of the given level maybe stored within accumulator 128 and associated with the EGM 102. Thenext player to successfully complete the given level or othersubdivision of skill game 110 is awarded some or all of the previouslyunawarded prizes from unsuccessful players of the given level on thegiven EGM 102. The accumulated amount of prizes may or may not bedisplayed to attract additional players. In other embodiments, theaccumulated values in accumulator 128 may be based on a group, network,or region of EGMs 102. In such an embodiment, the next player tosuccessfully complete a given level or other subdivision of skill game110 is awarded some or all of the previously unawarded prizes fromunsuccessfully players of the given level from the group of EGMs 102.For example, the unawarded prizes for a given level of skill game 110within a given casino may be pooled together in accumulator 128. Inanother example, the unawarded prizes for a given level of skill game110 across a series of casinos within a country or state may be pooledtogether in accumulator 128. In such examples, accumulated pools ofunpaid awards may incentivize competition within the skill game 110.

Accumulated values in accumulator 128 may be paid out in varyingamounts. In one embodiment, an accumulated value may be awarded to thenext player who, for example, successfully completes a subdivision ofgame play of skill game 110. In another embodiment, accumulated valuesin accumulator 128 may be paid out in percentages as part of randomizedprizes to various subsequent successful players. The percentage ofpayout of an accumulator may be set by making an adjustment in pay table206. The total payout percentage of an EGM 102 or set of EGMs may beadjusted by adjusting the percentage of payout of an accumulator. Forexample, an accumulated payout for a given level of skill game 110 maybe a randomized percentage of the accumulator 128 for the given level.

Providing a game of skill with wagering components may incentivize aplayer to conduct more wagers by providing an enjoyable user experience.A player may prefer payout of a wager conditioned upon the game ofskill. A player may prefer the presentation of a game of skill over amere game of chance. A player may be incentivized to play the game ofskill with wagering components in order to unlock additional portions ofthe game of skill in order to play the additional portions. A player maybe incentivized to play the game of skill with wager components byleaderboards, in-game rewards or other recognition. A player may wish tomake attempts in the game of skill wherein an accumulator includesunsuccessful attempts to accomplish goals in the game of skill orportions thereof. The player may continue to make attempts until theprizes accumulated therein are won by defeating the game of skill.Increased levels of difficulty in the game of skill may providechallenges to users to aspire to claim higher accumulated prizes.

Games of skill may be used as a bonus round to a game of chance.However, such games may not accomplish one or more benefits of variousembodiments. Such games of chance might be played only occasionally inassociation with the game of chance, thus eliminating benefits andincentives. Further, in many electronic gaming machines bonus roundsonly present an illusion of additional opportunities to earn additionalcredits or winnings, wherein the choices made in the bonus round do notactually determine bonuses won. Instead, the total amount to be won isdetermined in association with the original wager and prizedetermination. A game of skill in a bonus round wherein successfulcompletion of a goal provides no or nominal additional winnings comparedto a failure may fail to provide one or more of the benefits of thevarious embodiments. A game of skill functioning only as a bonus to awagering game may fail to implement unlocking of additional portions ofthe game of skill. In such a case, incentives to continue playing thegame of skill may be decreased because the game play may be repetitive.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate example screens of display 116 of EGM 102 duringoperation of system 100. The screens shown in FIGS. 3A-3E are mereexamples of possible configuration and content. Implementation ofdisplay 116 during operation of system 100 may depend upon skill gamesused, configuration of gaming machines and payout systems, or any othersuitable factor. Display 116 may be configured to include wageringinformation from wager application 112, network wager application 124,or affinity server 106, and skill game information from skill game 110,skill game server application 126, or affinity server 106.

FIG. 3A is an example illustration of display 116 at an example startscreen. A user may deposit funds in or otherwise access funds for themachine. A balance 302 of available funds may be shown. Display 116 maybe configured to provide a login option 304. Login option 304 may beconfigured to provide subsequent login capabilities for logging in to awagering, skill game, or other profile or account such as thoseavailable on affinity sever 106. If a player is not logged in, game playmay still be available, but performance of the user may not be tracked,and player achievements or unlocked levels may not be tracked. Display116 may be configured to present one or more skill games to be played bythe user through skill game selection buttons 306. Each skill game maybe described by name, image, accumulator values, or any other suitableinformation. Each game selection button 306 may be configured to launcha full or demonstration version of a selected skill game. As describedabove, many different skill games may be included within an EGM 102. Forexample purposes, display 116 may be showing options for a golf,basketball, puzzle, adventure, or trivia game. Display 116 may include acash out button 308. EGM 102 may be configured to issue a voucher,ticket, tokens, refund acknowledgment, coins, or any other suitablemechanism of cashing a player out of an EGM 102.

FIG. 3B is an example illustration of a display 116 showing a playerprofile. Such a player profile may be accessed after logging in throughlogin option 304. The player profile of display 116 may be accessibleoutside of EGM 102, such as through a website or a kiosk, service desk,or other location within a casino. Display 116 may include an indicatorof the player identity 310. Display 116 may include any suitableinformation for providing a user information about past play of skillgame 110. For example, display 116 may include achievements 312,rankings 314, or scores 316 associated with skill games. Each such pieceof information may be tied to particular skill games, subdivisions ofskill games, or locations. For example, achievements 312 may indicatethat the user has hit a hole-in-one in the golf skill game, achieved a“Triviamaster” level in the trivia game, and completed Level 16 in theadventure game. Achievements 312 may include one or more virtual goodsthat may be associated with the player profile, and may be displayed,for example, in group leaderboards or while the player is playing.Rankings 314 may include rankings of the player at a given location, oracross all EGMs providing a skill game 110. For example, rankings 314may indicate that the player is the third-ranked player, out ofseven-hundred fifty-two, at the present casino. Rankings 314 mayindicate that across all gaming sites, the player is ranked 15,731st.Scores may include scores for specific games or game subdivisions, or anoverall rating of the player. For example, scores 316 may indicate thatin the golf game, the player has scored 420,000 points, and has a coursescore of “68” at “Eastside Memorial Course.” Display 116 may include abutton 318 for redeeming points accumulated in skill games for variousprizes. EGM 102 may be configured to initiate a session with affinityserver 106 upon detecting the user pressing button 318.

FIG. 3C is an example illustration of a display 116 showing a skill gamescreen before play begins. A user may have selected an individual skillgame such as “Golf” from the display 116 of FIG. 3A. Display 116 mayinclude a skill game indication 310, indicating the skill game 110 andthe subdivision of the skill game which is to be played. A user ofdisplay 116 may have previously selected a given subdivision to playfrom a list of available or unlocked options, or may have successfullycompleted the previous subdivision. For example, skill game indication310 may indicate that the skill game 110 is the “Golf” game, and thesubdivision to be played is the “Big Tree Course—Hole 8 (Par 4).”Display 116 may include instructions 312 to the user indicating that awager is necessary to play the skill game 110. The instructions 312 maybe tailored to the individual type of skill game 110. For example,instructions 312 may indicate that a wager is necessary to play theidentified hole of the “Golf” game. An accumulated reward value 314,from accumulator 128, may be shown. For example, Hole 8 on the “Big TreeCourse” has accumulated $15,261 to pay out. Display 116 may includewagering options 316 for wagering a certain amount of available funds orcredits, such as one credit, five credits, or ten credits. Each wageringoption 316 may have different odds or payout structures, which may bepresented to the user. Display 116 may include a goal 318 indicating tothe user what must be accomplished within the skill game 110 in order towin the wager. Such a goal may also indicate in-game bonuses, points, orother skill game specific rewards. For example, goal 318 may indicatedthat the present subdivision—Hole 8—must be completed in four strokes orless to win the wager and unlock the next hole.

FIG. 3D is an example illustration of a display 116 showing a skill gamescreen during play. Various status indicators 320 may be used to showthe current status of the skill game. For example, in the “Golf” gamethe user may be on the third stroke of the hole. Display 116 may includea game view 322, illustrating the play of the interactive game which theuser is playing. For example, the game view 322 may illustrate asimulated golf course hole and golfer controlled by the user using I/O114, wherein a putt has just been made to end the hole and thus thesubdivision of the game play of skill game 110. Bonuses 324, 326 ofskill game points or achievements may be awarded based upon play withinskill game 110. Bonus 324 may illustrate points awarded for specificactions within play of skill game 110, and bonus 326 may illustratepoints awarded for completion of a level of skill game 110. Such pointsmay be shown in point total 328. Such points may be tracked bytransferring the information to affinity server 106.

FIG. 3E is an example illustration of a display 116 showing the resultsof playing a subdivision of a skill game screen. Display 116 may includea indication of the goal 328 and whether it was achieved. For example,“Hole 8” may have been finished by the player in three strokes, which isless than the maximum of four strokes. Thus, EGM 102 may be configuredto determine that the player successfully completed the subdivision ofskill game 110. Display 116 may show results 330, which may indicatewhether or not a randomized prize such as additional credits 334 werewon as a result of the wager. Because the winning of additional credits334 as a prize as a result of the wager is a random event, display 116may include a presentation 332 to indicate to the user that EGM 102 ispicking a random prize for the user. For example, traditional slotmachine spinning wheels may be simulated. The accumulator indicator 314may be incremented or decremented accordingly to the payoutconfiguration and whether a prize will be awarded to the player.Subsequently, display 116 may be configured allow a user to press abutton 336 to continue to the next subdivision of the game in a screensimilar to FIG. 3C, or a button 338 return to a menu such as shown inFIG. 3A or 3B.

If a player has not successfully completed the subdivision of game playof FIG. 3D, the display 116 of FIG. 3E may indicate an option to replaythe subdivision. In embodiments that do not require successfulcompletion of the subdivision in order to win the wager, the display 116may still indicate the number of credits 334 won by the randomized prizegeneration.

In operation, a gaming application 108 may be executing on an EGM 102through the execution of a skill game 110 and a wager application 112.Applications 108, 110, 112 may reside within memory 120 for execution byprocessor 118. A user may access EGM 102 through display 116 and I/O 114to deposit funds for placing a wager 202 in combination with playingskill game 110. The user may access login information for skill game orwager tracking purposes. Such login information may be transferred toaffinity server 106. The user may access and inspect profile informationregarding wagering or skill game play history, and redeem affinity orskill game points for real or virtual goods and services.

The user may be presented with skill game 110 choices, possiblesubdivisions of game play, and presented values from accumulator 128associated with a given EGM 102, skill game 110, or subdivision of skillgame 110. The user may run a demonstration of the skill game 110. Theuser may select a skill game 110 and a subdivision of skill game 110,based on available or unlocked subdivisions. The subdivisions availableto the user may depend upon the history of skill game 110 playassociated with the user. Skill game 110 or wager application 112 mayaccess accumulator 128 to determine possible prize values, and presentthe possible values to the user.

The user may select an amount to wager. After detecting a wager 202,wager application 112 may pass wagering information to network wagerapplication 124 and affinity server 106. The skill game 110 may beplayed by the user.

Network wager application may access accumulator 128 to determinepossible accumulated values for the user to possibly win. Partial valuesof accumulator 128 may be selected. Network wager application 124 maydetermine, based upon the wager, the EGM 102, the skill game 110 andsubdivision of skill game 110, and/or the values from accumulator 128 apay table 206 from which a randomized prize will be generated. Networkwager application 124 may use random number generator 204 to generate arandom number from which a prize in pay table 206 will be selected. Inone embodiment, network wager application 124 may conduct a bingo gamebetween EGM 102 and other EGMs to determine a bingo winner who willreceive a selected prize from pay table 206. Network wager application124 may determine a randomized prize from pay table 206 in the form offunds or credits that are to be won by the user of EGM 102.

Skill game 110 may communicate with skill game server application 126 tofacilitate any competitive skill game 110 matches with other users ofsimilarly configured EGMs.

The user may play skill game 110 to completion of a subdivision of skillgame 110. Skill game 110 may award various skill game points to userduring play of the subdivision. Skill game 110 may award achievements,unlock levels, or provide other rewards upon the completion of play.Such skill game rewards may be communicated to affinity server 106.

If the user has successfully completed a defined goal of the subdivisionof skill game 110, skill game 110 or skill game server application 126may communicate such results to network wager application 124. In oneembodiment, network wager application 124 may provide the randomizedprize to be awarded—as determined from pay table 206—to the user viawager application 112 regardless of whether the user successfullycompleted the goal. In another embodiment, network wager application 124may provide the randomized prize to the user only if the usersuccessfully completed the goal. If the user has not successfullycompleted the goal, some or all of the randomized prize to be won isinstead returned to accumulator 128 on the same basis in which they werewithdrawn. In any of these embodiments, network wager application 124may deposit some or all of wager 202 in accumulator 128 if the prizedetermined from pay table is less than the wager 202.

The user may repeat the attempt at the subdivision of the skill game110, or select and play another subdivision. Each such play may requireanother wager. User may cash out the balance of credits or funds.

FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of a method 400 of interfacing with auser to provide a game of skill with wagering components. In step 405,available menu options may be displayed for the user to choose from.Such menu options may include the ability to login to a user profile,create a profile, add funds, cash out funds, or any other suitableoption. In step 410, if a user profile has been accessed or created, anaffinity server may be contacted with user and login information. Instep 415, user profile information may be displayed. Such user profileinformation may included rankings, achievements, scores, unlocked levelsof various skill games, affinity point rewards, or any other suitableuser profile information. The user may be able to access more detailedinformation on any of these topics, or redeem points for virtual or realgoods and services.

In step 425, a player may be able to remove any funds deposited orotherwise made available for wagering. In step 430, available skillgames to be played may be displayed. In step 435, a selection of one ofthe skill games may be detected and the skill game launched. Ademonstration of the skill game may be presented to the user. In step440, available subdivisions of the skill game may be presented forselection to the user. The available subdivisions may represent variousstarting points within the skill game from which play may begin. Thenumber of available subdivisions may depend upon historical skill gameplay by the user, wherein subdivisions such as levels are unlocked andprogress is saved with the user's profile. A goal required to completethe subdivision, and possibly win a wager, may be displayed to the user.

In step 445, accumulator values reflecting prizes previously uncollectedmay be determined for the chosen skill game, subdivision, and/or gamingmachine. The accumulator values may be displayed to the user as anincentive to choose a given skill game or subdivision to play. In step450, a list of wagering options may be displayed. Wagering options mayspecify one or more choices of wagers that may be placed in order to wina prize, such as a portion of the value of the accumulator. Odds ofwinning may be displayed to the user. A wagering option may be requiredto be selected before game play may begin.

In step 455, it may be determined whether a subdivision of a skill gameand a wager have been selected. If the skill game subdivision and wagerhave not been selected, then the method may continue to display suchoptions as performed in step 440, or such displays may be augmented toremind the user to make a selection of skill game subdivision or toplace a wager. If a skill game subdivision and wager have been selected,then in step 460 wager information may be sent to a wager handler todetermine an outcome of the wager, and to an affinity server fortracking wager placements for the user.

In step 465, the skill game may be conducted. To conduct the skill game,an interactive display may be presented to the user, who may controlactions or decisions within the skill game to reach or complete anobjective, which may comprise a subdivision of the skill game. In step470, during or after the skill game, points, achievements, or otherrewards may be awarded based on skill game play. Depending upon whetherthe user has successfully completed the subdivision, additionalsubdivisions may be subsequently available for play. In step 475,information concerning the success, failure, score, new subdivisions, orother information related to skill game play may be transferred to anaffinity server and/or to a wager handler.

In step 480, a determined prize, based upon at least the wager, may bereceived from the wager handler. In one embodiment, the determined prizemay be based upon the success of failure of skill game play. In anotherembodiment, the determined prize may be based upon the size of theaccumulator. The determined prize may include, for example: nothing; arandom amount of the presented accumulator; or any other value asdetermined by a pay table. In step 485, results of the prizedetermination may be displayed to the user, and the method may repeat byreturning to, for example, step 425, giving the user the option to cashout or play again.

FIG. 5 is an example embodiment of a method 500 of determining arandomized prize to a user to playing a game of skill with wageringcomponents. In step 505, a selected skill game and an associatedsubdivision of game play to be played by a user may be determined. Sucha determination may be made by receiving selections from the user or agaming application. In step 510, a value of accumulated unawarded prizesavailable to be won for the selected skill game and subdivision may bedetermined. The value of accumulated unawarded prizes may also dependupon the gaming machine or location on which the user wishes to play.Such a determination may be made by accessing an accumulator. In step515, the determined value of accumulated unawarded prizes may beprovided to a user or a gaming application.

In step 520, a wager placed in association with playing the subdivisionof the skill game may be determined. Such a determination may be made byreceiving selections from the user or a gaming application. In step 525,a pay table may be accessed to determine a possible randomized prize tobe awarded, such a credit or currency payout. The pay table andassociated possible prize may be based upon the unawarded prize valuesin the accumulator, the wager, the skill game, and/or the location ofthe gaming machine. The possible prize may be selected by, for example,a random number generator. In step 530, the associated possible prizemay be determined.

In step 535, it may be determined whether the user was successful inachieving a specified goal in the subdivision of the skill game. In step540, it may be determined whether such success is necessary to receivethe determined possible prize. If not, then in step 550 the prize may beawarded to the user. If so, then in step 545 it may be determinedwhether the user successfully completed the skill game. If so, then instep 550 the prize may be awarded to the user. If not, then in step 555,some or all of any unawarded prizes and/or lost wagers may be added tothe accumulator. The method may return to step 505 for repeatedexecution.

Methods 400 and 500 may be implemented using the system of FIGS. 1-3, orany other system operable to implement methods 400 and 500. As such, thepreferred initialization point for methods 400 and 500 and the order ofits steps may depend on the implementation chosen. In some embodiments,some steps may be optionally omitted, repeated, or combined. In someembodiments, some steps of methods 400 and 500 may be executed inparallel with other steps of methods 400 or 500. In certain embodiments,methods 400 and 500 may be implemented partially or fully in softwareembodied in computer-readable media.

For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may includeany instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retaindata and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable mediamay include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct accessstorage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequentialaccess storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM,DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; aswell as communications media such wires, optical fibers, and otherelectromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of theforegoing.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations canbe made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of thedisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

1. An article of manufacture, comprising: a computer readable medium;and computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readablemedium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, whenread and executed, for causing the processor to: present a game of skillin response to accepting a wager, the game of skill including at leastone goal associated with a portion of the game; provide interactivecontrol of the game of skill to a user in response to the wager;determine whether the goal has been successfully accomplished by theuser; determine a randomized prize in response to the wager; provide therandomized prize to a user of the game if the goal has been successfullyaccomplished; not provide some or all of the randomized prize to theuser if the goal has not been successfully accomplished; and depositsome or all of the portion of the randomized prize not provided to theuser in an accumulator.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein theaccumulator includes a progressive payout.
 3. The article of claim 1,further comprising instructions for causing the processor to load a userprofile of a user of the game of skill.
 4. The article of claim 3,further comprising instructions for causing the processor to awardnon-monetary rewards to the user profile, based on the play of the gameof skill.
 5. The article of claim 4, further comprising instructions forcausing the processor to provide redemption options for non-monetaryrewards.
 6. The article of claim 3, further comprising instructions forcausing the processor to add the results of playing the game to the userprofile.
 7. The article of claim 1, further comprising instructions forcausing the processor to unlock additional portions of the game if thegoal has been successfully accomplished.
 8. The article of claim 1,wherein the determining a randomized prize includes a bingo game.
 9. Thearticle of claim 1, wherein determining a randomized prize includes alottery drawing.
 10. The article of claim 1, wherein determining arandomized prize includes looking up the randomized prize from a prizetable.
 11. The article of claim 1, wherein: determining a randomizedprize includes looking up the randomized prize from a prize table; andthe prize table includes accumulated randomized prizes from previouswagers in the accumulator.
 12. The article of claim 11, wherein: thewager is made on an electronic gaming machine; and the accumulatedrandomized prizes in the accumulator are associated with previous wagersfrom the same electronic gaming machine.
 13. The article of claim 11,wherein: the wager is made on a first electronic gaming machine; theaccumulated randomized prizes in the accumulator are associated with oneor more second electronic gaming machines; and the first electronicgaming machine and the second electronic gaming machines reside withinthe same gaming network.
 14. The article of claim 11, wherein: theprocessor is configured to accept wagers associated with a set of gamesincluding the game of skill; and the accumulated randomized prizes inthe accumulator are associated with previous wagers from the same gameof skill.
 15. The article of claim 11, wherein: the processor isconfigured to accept wagers associated with a set of portions of thegame; and the accumulated randomized prizes in the accumulator areassociated with previous wagers from the same portion of the game. 16.An electronic device, comprising: a computer-readable medium; aprocessor coupled to the computer-readable medium; a display; one ormore input/output controls; an accumulator stored in thecomputer-readable medium; instructions readable by the processor andstored on the computer-readable medium, the instructions, when read andexecuted, causing the processor to: accept a wager through theinput/output controls; present a game of skill on the display inresponse to the wager, the game including a goal associated with aportion of the game; in response to the wager, provide interactivecontrol of the game to a user through the display and input/outputcontrols; determine whether the goal has been successfully accomplished;conduct a randomized selection process to determine a randomized prize;provide the randomized prize to the user if the goal has beensuccessfully accomplished; not provide some or all of the randomizedprize to the user if the goal has not been successfully accomplished;and add some or all of the portions of the randomized prize not awardedto the user to the accumulator.
 17. The electronic device of claim 16,wherein the accumulator includes a progressive payout.
 18. Theelectronic device of claim 16, further comprising instructions forcausing the processor to load a user profile of a user of the game ofskill based on input received through the input/output controls.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 18, further comprising instructions forcausing the processor to award non-monetary rewards to the user profile,based on the play of the game of skill.
 20. The electronic device ofclaim 19, further comprising instructions for causing the processor toprovide redemption options for non-monetary rewards.
 21. The electronicdevice of claim 18, further comprising instructions for causing theprocessor to add the results of playing the game to the user profile.22. The electronic device of claim 16, further comprising instructionsfor causing the processor to unlock additional portions of the game ifthe goal has been successfully accomplished.
 23. The electronic deviceof claim 16, wherein the randomized selection process includes a bingogame.
 24. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the randomizedselection process includes a lottery drawing.
 25. The electronic deviceof claim 16, wherein the randomized selection process includes lookingup the randomized prize from a prize table.
 26. The electronic device ofclaim 16, wherein: the randomized selection process includes looking upthe randomized prize from a prize table; and the prize table includesaccumulated randomized prizes from previous wagers in the accumulator.27. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein: the wager is made on anelectronic gaming machine; and the accumulated randomized prizes in theaccumulator are associated with previous wagers from the same electronicgaming machine.
 28. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein: thewager is made on a first electronic gaming machine; the accumulatedrandomized prizes in the accumulator are associated with one or moresecond electronic gaming machines; and the first electronic gamingmachine and the second electronic gaming machines reside within the samegaming network.
 29. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein: theprocessor is configured to accept wagers associated with a set of gamesincluding the game of skill; and the accumulated randomized prizes inthe accumulator are associated with previous wagers from the same gameof skill.
 30. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein: the processoris configured to accept wagers associated with a set of portions of thegame; and the accumulated randomized prizes in the accumulator areassociated with previous wagers from the same portion of the game.
 31. Amethod for providing skill game play with wagering components,comprising: accepting a wager; presenting a game of skill on a displayin response to the wager, the game including a goal associated with aportion of the game; in response to the wager, providing interactivecontrol of the game to a user through the display and input/outputcontrols; determining whether the goal has been successfullyaccomplished. conducting a randomized selection process to determine arandomized prize; providing the randomized prize to the user if the goalhas been successfully accomplished; not awarding some or all of therandomized prize to the user if the goal has not been successfullyaccomplished; and adding some or all of the parts of the randomizedprize not awarded to the user to an accumulator.
 32. The method of claim31, wherein the accumulator includes a progressive payout.
 33. Themethod of claim 31, further comprising loading a user profile of theuser of the game of skill based on input received through theinput/output controls.
 34. The method of claim 33, further comprisingawarding one or more non-monetary rewards to the user profile, based onthe play of the game of skill.
 35. The method of claim 34, furthercomprising providing redemption options for the non-monetary rewards.36. The method of claim 33, further comprising adding the results ofplaying the game to the user profile.
 37. The method of claim 31,further comprising unlocking additional portions of the game if the goalhas been successfully accomplished.
 38. The method of claim 31, whereinthe randomized selection process includes a bingo game.
 39. The methodof claim 31, wherein the randomized selection process includes a lotterydrawing.
 40. The method of claim 31, wherein the randomized selectionprocess includes looking up the randomized prize from a prize table. 41.The electronic device of claim 31, wherein: the randomized selectionprocess includes looking up the randomized prize from a prize table; andthe prize table includes accumulated randomized prizes from previouswagers in the accumulator.
 42. The electronic device of claim 41,wherein: the wager is made on an electronic gaming machine; and theaccumulated randomized prizes in the accumulator are associated withprevious wagers from the same electronic gaming machine.
 43. Theelectronic device of claim 41, wherein: the wager is made on a firstelectronic gaming machine; the accumulated randomized prizes in theaccumulator are associated with one or more second electronic gamingmachines; and the first electronic gaming machine and the secondelectronic gaming machines reside within the same gaming network. 44.The electronic device of claim 41, further comprising accepting wagersassociated with a set of games including the game of skill, wherein theaccumulated randomized prizes in the accumulator are associated withprevious wagers from the same game of skill.
 45. The electronic deviceof claim 41, further comprising accepting wagers associated with a setof portions of the game, and wherein the accumulated randomized prizesin the accumulator are associated with previous wagers from the sameportion of the game.